The Ohio State Buckeyes landed their next athletic director on Tuesday, and it will shake up the college football world. After rumors surfaced yesterday, it was officially announced that former Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork will join the Buckeyes.
BREAKING: Ohio State has named Ross Bjork its next athletic director, replacing the retiring Gene Smith.
Bjork has been the athletic director at Texas A&M since 2019.
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Ohio State Hires Ross Bjork As New Athletic Director
Longtime athletic director Gene Smith retired, leaving a void in the athletic department. The hiring of Bjork is a massive shift that no one saw coming. For years, many thought the university would go with one of Smith’s proteges. Instead, they bring in a fresh face, signaling the program is looking for a new direction. Bjork has been with Texas A&M since 2019, and before that was at Ole Miss. The president of the university had this to say about the hiring.
“Few athletics directors have established such an impressive and strong record of success in athletics, in the classroom and throughout the community. The bar is incredibly high at Ohio State, and we have found in Ross a highly intelligent and effective leader – not to mention a fierce competitor.”
Massive Hire By The Buckeyes
What this means for the university as a whole cannot be understated. His extensive experience in the SEC, one of the top conferences in the nation, will bring new life to the school’s athletic program. His connections nationwide will help the Buckeyes land top-tier talent in coaching and players. We don’t talk much about athletic directors, but a good one can help a team win with all the behind-the-scenes work. As the school’s premier athletic programs have struggled in recent years, it will be interesting to see Bjork’s direction.
Ohio State swung for the fences and hit a home run. The hiring of Bjork is the type of move that can keep continued success for years to come.